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Scrapbook for Mexico's
Copper Canyon Tour
February 28 - March 9, 2007
Enjoy the picture journey and the WOW experience of tour members.
Click on any photo to enlarge.
After arrival in Arizona . . . 
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and meeting Rodrigo, our Mexican Tour Director . . . |
we head south toward the Mexican border.
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No trouble, our new friends welcome us. |
Some signs similar to "back home."
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By the language, art and smiles, we know we are in Mexico.
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Comfortable lodging, looking like Old Mexico . . .
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. . . a beautiful harbor along the Pacific - the Sea of Cortez.
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Our first chance at Mexican food . . .
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. . . for us, they toned down the spices.
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Familiar drinks and bottled water.
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Tour Director - Rodrigo. Bus Driver - Juan.
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We visit a larger than life cactus desert . . .
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then stop at a Pearl Farm to learn how oysters develop pearls as protection from foreign objects.
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Heading toward the interior, we visit a native family
in very ordinary surroundings. . .
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 . . . but very happy.
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Welcome to El Fuerte "The Fort"
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Wonderful old architecture . . . and greetings from local dancers.
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The beginning of our railroad ride over the Sierra Madre Mountains.
We board the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad - "El Chepe" -
for our ride through the Copper Canyon and across the Continental Divide.
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The tunnels (87 of them) and bridges (34) and the changing scenery was truly spectacular. It lived up to its billing: "The most dramatic rail journey in the Western Hemisphere."
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 Along the way we got introduced to the local Tarahumara Native Indians. A hearty breed, many still live in caves, live off the land and are a gentle, retiring people.
Marked by their bright clothing and full smiles, they offered to sell their hand woven baskets, pottery and other handicrafts to us.
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Our lodging was on the rim of this canyon,
which is four times larger than Arizona's Grand Canyon. Oh, the view!
  
The Tarahumara men play a relay race by kicking a very hard ball
and guiding it along the rocky path with a stick.
  
The Tarahumara women race by using a stick to throw a circular lasso ahead of them trying to return to the
finish line soonest. These native peoples are known as some of the fastest long distance runners in the world.
Beautiful pottery.
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Beautiful travelers.
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Approaching San Ignacio de Arareko Mission and Children's School.
The water barrel for 160 school children . . . |
the dining room. . . .
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dorm for 120 students.
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Classrooms and teachers in need of supplies which our group helped to supply.
We visited grade 3, the next tour group will visit grade 4, etc.
  
As we approached the Old Colony Mennonite settlements around Cuauhtemoc, we saw orchards, farmland and agriculture businesses - the dry desert plateau was beginning to bloom.
  
A progressive church . . . |
an old colony school . . |
the Mennonite Museum. |
Our journey soon ending, we have the opportunity to see beautiful government building and cathedral in Chichuahua.
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Carlos, the "boss" man, meets us to bring personal greetings.
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After a brief visit at a family pottery business and the Paquime ruins . . .
. . . we look across the fence and border as we re-enter the USA - a 1460 mile journey.
The fence no longer divides, we have friends in Mexico!
Thank you, Rodrigo. You represented your country well;
you've shown us a great lesson in friendship. |
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And thanks for introducing your family to us!! |
TOUR MEMBERS SAID...
"Impressed with the wealth of info in the tourbook we were given the first day. Each day was fascinating and exciting with surprises and extras."
- Wayne & Delores, PA
"Well planned with very few unexpected delays."
- Herman & Marian, AZ
"Appreciated the time for devotions, sharing, singing - the scripture suited for this trip and helped me focus on God's creation."
- Eli & Edna, MO
"It was worthwhile to stop in Maria's home and visit the boarding school -- this shows what Mexico is really like, not just big tourist hotels."
- Orpha Marie, IN
"This was a very educational experience... offer it again!"
- Millard, VA
"Delighted to join this happy group and see things I have only dreamed of. The train ride was great; the beauty of things in bloom was a sight to behold."
- Marrie Cle, WA
"This trip fulfilled all my expectations. Enjoyed the kindred spirit of the group."
- Bob, TX
"This was our first multi-day group tour. . . and it left us 'wanting more.' With border crossing and language differences, this is the only way to go."
- Jim & Mim, PA
"Especially appreciated the extra effort to connect with the Mennonites in Mexico."
- Art & Mary, OH
"We learned so much about an ancient culture and about life in Mexico today. We came to realize that the material goods we think are important are not so important after all."
- Tony & Joann, OK
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